Saving the world – New Zealand Style
World Environment Day will bring not just a day, but a week of green activities to host city Wellington and to New Zealand.
What is World Environment Day?
Run by the United Nations, World Environment Day is an annual event intended to get people involved in environmental issues.
It’s not a pointy-headed talk- fest. The focus is on people, events and activities.
Green concerts, essay and poster competitions, tree planting, recycling and cleanup campaigns are held all over the host country and the world.
It was first held in 1972, when it was organised by the United Nations General Assembly to mark the opening of the Stockholm Conference on the Human Environment.
The conference declared the improvement of the environment to be “a major issue”.
These days World Environment Day highlights a different environmental issue each year.
Often that issue fits the host country.
Last year’s World Environment Day was held in Tromso, Norway, with the theme Melting Ice – a Hot Topic?
When arid Algeria hosted it in 2006, the theme was Deserts and Desertification – Don’t Desert Drylands.
What is the theme for 2008?
The theme for our turn at hosting World Environment Day is Kicking the Carbon Habit – Towards a Low Carbon Economy.
Why was New Zealand chosen this year?
World Environment Day is not like the Rugby World Cup – you don’t bid for it.
The United Nations approached the New Zealand Government a year ago to see if it was interested in hosting the event.
The interest followed a 2005 visit to New Zealand by then World Conservation Union director-general Achim Steiner.
He is now executive director of the United Nations Environment Programme – the body that runs World Environment Day.
Climate Change Minister David Parker says New Zealand’s efforts to kick the carbon habit are regarded as a test case by the global community.
“The United Nations sees New Zealand as a country to look at and assess if the world is going to get on top of its problems.”
The Government’s flagship Emissions Trading Scheme is struggling, however, as political support for it wanes.
National is calling for a slowdown, while the Greens are threatening to pull their support altogether.
There is also interest in New Zealand’s unusual greenhouse emissions profile, which our scientists are trying hard to tackle.
It features a high proportion of methane and nitrous oxide and a low share of carbon dioxide, reflecting our farming-based economy.
Wellington’s 2007 commitment to become carbon neutral by 2012 means it is a “natural fit” to host World Environment Day, Wellington Mayor Kerry Prendergast says.
It is a national day, however, with events planned throughout New Zealand.
Why should I kick the carbon habit?
Cutting carbon emissions is seen as key to reducing the threat of global warming.
The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change now says there is “unequivocal” evidence of global warming.
It says it is “very likely” most global warming since the mid- 20th century is due to increased greenhouse gas emissions from human activity.
More violent floods and storms, acute droughts and frequent heatwaves are forecast, as well as melting polar ice-caps and rising sea levels.
In New Zealand, recent data suggests climate change will bring a rise in the median temperature of two degrees celsius by 2099.
How can I kick the carbon habit?
The best way to reduce your contribution to global warming is to use less energy.
Here are some tips for around the home, courtesy of Wellington City Council.
* Change your lightbulbs. Compact fluoro bulbs could save you up to 75 per cent of electricity consumption.
* Drink tap water. Help to reduce the 14,000 tonnes of plastic bottles going to the landfill each year.
* Conserve water. Turn off the tap when you brush your teeth. Have a five-minute, not a 10- minute shower. Change to an aerated-flow shower head.
* Use cold-water washes. Wash your clothes in cold water and wait till you have a full load.
* Turn off lights and appliances when they are not in use.
How much is this all costing?
The Budget contained $3.7 million for hosting and supporting World Environment Day 2008.
More than 100 school and community projects around the country are getting government cash to plan events.
Some amounts are small – Johnsonville School in Wellington is getting $700 to replant part of the school grounds in native trees.
Other grants are larger – Wellington City Council received $56,400 to host an Eco Party on June 6.
HOW DO I GET INVOLVED?
To find out what is happening in your region, check out:
* world.environment.govt.nz
* nzlive.com/en/event/tag/world- environment-day
Also check out:
* unep.org/wed/
WHAT’S ON TO MARK WORLD ENVIRONMENT DAY?
WELLINGTON
Tuesday, June 3: The Green Ribbon Awards will recognise contributions New Zealanders are making to the environment.
Thursday, June 5: 150 pupils to plant 5000 native plants on banks of Macalister Park, in Newtown.
* Te Papa launching a global art exhibition, with work by 27 artists from 20 countries.
Friday, June 6: Eco Party, Wellington Town Hall, 7.30pm.
Featuring a free concert by Ryan Prebble, Samuel Flynn Scott and the Bunnies on Ponies, and Open Souls. Free tickets from Ticketek.
Saturday, June 7: Weed Swap, 11am till 3pm in Civic Square.
HUTT VALLEY: Conservation Volunteers New Zealand are arranging a four-day tree-planting project behind Taita College.
HAWKE’S BAY: Napier’s City Children’s Centre is planting native grasses and hebes.
WAIRARAPA: Greytown will become a Greentown for a month, starting on June 5.
ON THE NET: Trade Me and Forest and Bird are launching a scheme in which online buyers can round up the cost of their purchase. The extra cash goes to Kiwi conservation projects.
* Conservation Volunteers NZ has set up an online system where people can pledge to help.
(conservationvolunteers.co.nz).
